‘There was his old father, who was called Leafric – she did reveal that last night – but he died years ago,’ Jack said. ‘If there were other family members, she’d surely have turned to them rather than set out for England.’
‘She told you her husband’s grandfather was called Leafric?’
‘That’s right.’
‘Yes, that tallies. She told me her son is named after a forebear of her husband’s.’
‘Is that relevant?’
Slowly I shook my head. ‘I’m not sure.’ Funny things were happening inside my mind. I had the feeling that we’d just stumbled on something important.
I said, ‘We too have a Harald whose father was called Leafric.’
There was quite a long silence. Then he said, ‘Are you sure?’
I smiled. ‘I’m the family bard.’ I remembered all those endless hours with Granny Cordeilla, and how she would test me over and over again until I stopped making mistakes. ‘My father’s mother was called Cordeilla, and it was her youngest brother who was called Harald. Along with his two elder brothers, he fought at the great battle, and he was the only one who survived. The family never saw him again, and my granny always said he’d left his homeland rather than bend his neck before the conquerors.’ As soon as the words were out of my mouth, I wished I’d been more diplomatic, since the son of one of those conquerors was sitting beside me. ‘Harald and Cordeilla’s father was called Leafric.’
After a pause, Jack said, ‘So your family has a missing relative called Harald, who left England and might well have ended up in Spain. His father’s name was Leafric. Now here we are, with a woman who claims her father-in-law was called Harald Fensman, and his father was called Leafric. Do you think it’s possible we’re referring to the same man?’
‘Possible, yes,’ I agreed, ‘but highly unlikely. For one thing, nobody in the family heard from Harald after he disappeared. There’s nothing whatsoever to suggest he went to Spain, and, as far as we know, he didn’t. Why would he?’
‘As far as you know,’ Jack repeated softly. ‘But what do you know?’
I was stumped. ‘I’m not sure.’ Had there ever been any hint of what had happened to Harald? If he had contacted anyone in the family, then the most likely person was his sister Cordeilla, my grandmother. She’d always said they were close. It was too late to ask her, but I could do the next best thing: I could speak to her two favourite children, my aunt Edild and my own father. ‘I’ll ask,’ I said, ‘and-’
‘What’s the other thing?’
‘Huh?’
‘You said, for one thing, and that usually suggests there’s going to be at least one more.’
‘Oh, yes. The other thing is that my great-uncle really couldn’t be Lady Rosaria’s father-in-law, because he wasn’t rich and his kin didn’t have wide estates and luxurious houses. He came from kin just like mine.’
I hoped he would nod his head in agreement, and we’d finally abandon the idea of Lady Rosaria having anything to do with me and my family.
He didn’t.
‘Harald Fensman became a man of position and status, that’s for sure,’ he said instead. ‘But how do we know what his circumstances were when he first arrived in Spain?’
I had a horrible feeling that I knew what he was going to say. ‘Don’t,’ I muttered.
He must have picked up my distress. He leaned closer to me, and I felt my hand being enclosed in his. ‘Does it upset you so much?’ he said gently.
‘The thought that Lady Rosaria’s late father-in-law was my Granny Cordeilla’s youngest brother, which means she is related by marriage to my family, and we’ll have to look after her when all the time she’ll be looking down that long nose of hers, dismissing my poor mother’s cooking and housekeeping, despising my beloved father’s lowly occupation and treating the rest of us like slaves? Oh yes, it distresses me, all right!’
To my shame, I found I was crying; great sobs were bursting out of me. Jack gave a soft sound of sympathy, put his arms round me and drew me tightly against him.
He felt so strong.
After a while, I sat up and dried my eyes. ‘I’m better now,’ I said.
He smiled, and I tried to respond, but failed. Then he said, his mouth quirking as if trying not to laugh, ‘You don’t know she’s got a long nose.’
‘What?’ I was already grinning.
‘None of us have seen her without that veil,’ he pointed out. ‘For all you know, she may have the most pert and lovely little nose.’
If his intention had been to cheer me up, he had succeeded. He had released me from the hug, but now he took hold of my hand again. ‘I’m not belittling how you feel,’ he said. ‘If I were in your position, I’d feel just the same. The thought of Lady bloody Rosaria as a permanent house guest is abhorrent.’
‘And you don’t even know how small my parents’ house is,’ I put in.
‘Oh, I expect I do,’ he replied. ‘But, dear Lassair, I think you may be overlooking something.’
‘What?’
He paused, then: ‘It’s not only Lady Rosaria who’s looking for a kind, loving family to take her in, is it?’
I knew what he meant. Instantly the outlook became a lot better. ‘No,’ I said. ‘There’s the baby, too.’
‘And you’ve developed quite an affection for Leafric.’ He squeezed my hand. ‘Wouldn’t it make her more tolerable, if he was also part of the arrangement?’
I nodded. ‘Yes, I suppose so. Whatever has happened, and whatever she has become, he’s not to blame.’
‘Indeed he’s not,’ Jack agreed, and I was surprised at the vehemence in his voice. ‘The innocent never are, yet so often it’s they who suffer most.’
I looked at him. Something had sparked off a memory, and it clearly wasn’t a happy one.
It was my turn to squeeze his hand. I went on holding it, even after the need for a kind touch was past, for the moment seemed right to speak. ‘Jack, there’s something I must tell you.’
‘Hm?’ He didn’t sound very interested; perhaps his mind was still on his memories.
‘It’s important,’ I went on. ‘We’re in danger.’
Now I had his attention. His green eyes fixed on mine and he said urgently, ‘What makes you think that?’
I don’t think, I know, I said silently. The shining stone doesn’t deal in uncertainties. ‘Remember, beside the pool where the drowned woman was found, we speculated that her killer might be watching us?’
‘Yes,’ he said.
‘That wasn’t the only time I’ve sensed eyes on me. Today, I felt his presence again -’ it hadn’t been quite like that, but I wasn’t ready to explain about the stone – ‘and I am certain he means to harm us.’ I met Jack’s intent stare. ‘To be precise, he means to harm you.’ Before he could interrupt, I hurried on. ‘It makes sense, doesn’t it? If he’s worried because he thinks we’ve found out something that incriminates him, then it’s you, as the lawman, he’ll want to get rid of.’
I’m not sure what I expected; it certainly hadn’t been that Jack would smile. ‘I appreciate your concern,’ he said, ‘and I’m grateful.’ He was getting up, preparing to leave.
‘But-’
He looked down at me, staring right into my eyes. ‘Lassair, if I took account of all the men who wish me harm – who wish to kill me, no doubt – I’d never leave the safety of my house.’
I stood up too, and stood face to face with him. ‘I really do believe your life is at risk.’ I hesitated. ‘I can’t tell you why, but please don’t dismiss it.’
‘I’m not dismissing it!’ The denial came so swiftly that I knew it was sincere. ‘And I’ll be careful. I promise.’
Something in his direct gaze was disturbing me; I turned away. ‘I’ll walk with you some of the way,’ I muttered.
He went as if to stop me, but then, with a shrug, nodded.
There was rain in the air; it was not yet falling, but it would very soon. We were passing the church when I felt eyes on me. I spun round, my heart thumping in alarm, but then I saw who it was. ‘Just a minute,’ I said to Jack. I ran across the track.
Standing deep in the shadow beneath the ancient yew tree in the churchyard was Hrype, cloaked and hooded, his face concealed and his silvery eyes glinting in the fading light.